Cleaning device for hollow objects

ABSTRACT

The cleaning device for hollow objects includes a rigid rod, a cleaning sleeve, and a handle. The rigid rod forms the frame of the cleaning device and has a first end and a second end. The cleaning sleeve is provided for contacting the cleaning surface of the hollow object and encases a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end. The cleaning sleeve is made from a material that fully protects the surface of the hollow object being cleaned and may be replaceable. The handle my be a telescoping handle and extends from the first end of the rigid rod to increase the overall length of the device. The telescoping handle allows the cleaning device to be used on a variety of different sized hollow objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/786,742, filed Mar. 29, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning devices, and more specificallyto a cleaning device for use in cleaning hollow objects, such as bottlesand vases.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many long-handled or other wand-type cleaning devices have been employedfor cleaning the inside surfaces of hollow objects, such as bottles,glasses, and vases. These devices are needed due to the difficulty inreaching one's hand fully inside these objects. Many of these cleaningdevices are flexible and are equipped with brushes or other bristle-typestructures at one end that are used to effectuate the cleaning. However,these types of cleaning devices are not always desirable or effective.Rough bristles or brushes can often scratch or otherwise damage fragileglass objects, and the flexibility of the device often prevents the userfrom applying the necessary amount of force for a thorough cleaning.

There is a need for a handled cleaning device for use with hollowobjects that has a rigid frame for allowing a user to apply maximumforce to the cleaning surface. It is also desirable that the cleaningportion of the device be made from a material that fully protects thesurface of the hollow object being cleaned. Thus, a cleaning device forhollow objects solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cleaning device for hollow objects includes a rigid rod, a cleaningsleeve, and a handle. The rigid rod forms the frame of the cleaningdevice and has a first end and a second end. The second end of the rigidrod is pointed to allow the rod to force the cleaning sleeve intocrevices for a thorough cleaning.

The cleaning sleeve is provided for contacting the surface of the hollowobject to be cleaned and encases a portion of the rigid rod adjacent thesecond end. The cleaning sleeve is made from a material that fullyprotects the surface of the hollow object being cleaned and may bereplaceable.

The handle extends from the first end of the rigid rod, and ispreferably telescoping. The telescoping handle adjusts the length of thecleaning device from 9-13 inches to allow the cleaning device to be usedon a variety of different sized hollow objects. The end of the handleopposite the rigid rod can be provided with a loop for hanging thecleaning device from a hook.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a cleaning device forhollow objects according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cleaning device for hollow objects accordingto the present invention, partially in section.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a cleaning device, designated generally as 10in FIGS. 1 and 2, for use in cleaning hollow objects such as bottles,glasses, and vases, shown generically in dotted lines in FIG. 1 as A.Cleaning device 10 includes rigid rod 12, cleaning sleeve 14, and handle16. Rigid rod 12 forms the basic frame of cleaning device 10 and has afirst end and a second end. Cleaning sleeve 14 is provided forcontacting the cleaning surface of a hollow object, such as a vase, andencases a portion of rigid rod 12 adjacent the second end. In apreferred embodiment, rigid rod 12 extends almost entirely to the tip ofcleaning sleeve 14, thus maximizing the amount of force that can beapplied when cleaning a hollow object. The length of rigid rod 12 thatis encased by cleaning sleeve 14 may be varied depending on the desiredcleaning application. The second end of rigid rod 12 is tapered and endsin a point 20. Point 20 is useful to force the cleaning sleeve intocrevices or other tight spaces to provide thorough cleaning of thehollow object.

As previously stated, the length of rigid rod 1 2 that is encased bycleaning sleeve 14 may be varied depending on the desired cleaningapplication. This is generally achieved by varying the length of sleeve14. The length of the sleeve 14 should be sized to avoid contact betweenthe rigid rod 1 2 and the hollow object A. Cleaning sleeve 14 is ideallymade from a soft material that fully protects the surface of the hollowobject being cleaned and is preferably a close-knit fabric that is thickand durable, such as terry cloth. The sleeve 14 may be removable so thatit may be cleaned and/or replaced.

Many different types of attachment mechanisms may be used to attach thesleeve 14 to the rigid rod 12, depending on whether a removable sleeveor non-removable sleeve is desired. The sleeve 14 may be permanentlyattached to the rod 12 using, for example, an adhesive. In analternative embodiment, the sleeve 14 may be removably attached to therod 12, so that it may be cleaned in a washing machine. The attachmentmeans in the removable embodiment may simply be a friction fit betweenthe inner diameter of the sleeve 14 and the outer surface of the rigidrod 1 2. Other means of removable attachment, such as hook and loopmaterial, drawstrings, or other devices may also be used.

Handle 16 extends from the first end of rigid rod 12 and is provided forcontrolling the use of cleaning device 10. Handle 16 may be atelescoping handle having indents 22 for receiving a spring-loadeddetent 24 mounted in the first end of the rod 12, and the handle may beprovided with knurls or gripping members 26 for added control. Extensionof the handle 16 extends the overall length of the cleaning device 10.Preferably, the handle 16 can be extended to increase the length of thecleaning device 10 from nine to thirteen inches. Handle 16 is alsopreferably provided with a hook 18 for hanging the cleaning device 10from a hook, nail, screw or other device.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A cleaning device for hollow objects, comprising: a rigid rod havinga first end and a second end, the second end being tapered to a point; acleaning sleeve encasing a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the secondend; and a handle extending from the first end of the rigid rod.
 2. Thecleaning device of claim 1, wherein said rigid rod is made of metal. 3.The cleaning device of claim 1, said rigid rod is made of stainlesssteel.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeveis made of a close-knit fabric.
 5. The cleaning device of claim 1,wherein said cleaning device made of terry cloth.
 6. The cleaning deviceof claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeve is permanently attached to saidrigid rod.
 7. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaningsleeve is permanently attached to said rigid rod using an adhesive. 8.The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeve isremovably attached to said rigid rod.
 9. The cleaning device of claim 1,wherein said handle is telescoping.
 10. The cleaning device of claim 9,wherein said telescoping handle includes indents on an inner surfacethereof, said rigid rod includes a detent on an outer surface thereof,and wherein said indents cooperate with said detent to allow the handleto snap into place in several extended and retracted positions.
 11. Acleaning device for hollow objects, comprising: a rigid rod having afirst end and a second end; a cleaning sleeve encasing a portion of therigid rod adjacent the second end; and a telescoping handle extendingfrom the first end of the rigid rod.
 12. A cleaning device for hollowobjects, comprising: a rigid rod having a first end and a second end,the second end being tapered to a point; a cleaning sleeve encasing aportion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end; and a telescopinghandle extending from the first end of the rigid rod.